Contact Information

Graduate Degree Options

Our graduate program offers seven major pathways to a graduate degree. The doctoral options are: PhD in biomedical engineering (post-BS or post-MS options), PhD in interdisciplinary biomedical sciences, and a combined clinical MD/PhD (NIH/MSTP). The master's options are: professional MSE/MS (non-thesis) with a concentration in biomedical engineering (online program), MS in biomedical engineering, and a fifth-year combined BS/MS in biomedical engineering (with thesis).

PhD Options

Biomedical Engineering PhD (post-BS or post-MS options)

The Weldon School's PhD options (post-BS or post-MS) in biomedical engineering are highly interdisciplinary in nature and involve faculty and laboratories at Purdue's College of Engineering, College of Science, School of Engineering and Technology, and the School of Veterinary Medicine on the West Lafayette campus as well as the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis. The combined faculty, staff, and facilities of the two campuses provide tremendous resources for our students. Doctoral program students work on translating discoveries into effective medical products, gaining a unique experience in converting theory to reality. These programs span modern biomedical engineering and build on a deep history of research at the Weldon School that has had significant industrial and clinical impact. Applicants with a master’s degree have the opportunity to transfer course work from that degree toward the PhD requirements, reducing the time to degree completion.

Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences PhD

The Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences PhD track is an interdisciplinary training program offered in conjunction with the Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine for students with backgrounds in life sciences and an interest in the field of biomedical engineering.

Combined Clinical MD/PhD (NIH/MSTP)

The combined clinical MD/PhD program (National Institutes of Health (NIH) Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP)) is offered in conjunction with the Indiana University School of Medicine to train physician engineers. The MD/PhD combined degree is for students committed to a career that intimately incorporates research with clinical care. The curriculum is flexible, enabling students to design a program that meets their individual goals. Students have direct access to the top clinical and graduate faculty and courses at the School of Medicine. Graduates of this program have pursued careers in both academic medicine and industry. A typical academic plan permits most students to complete the combined degree program in seven years.

MS Options

Professional MSE/MS (Non-thesis) with Concentration in Biomedical Engineering (Online)

This MSE/MS concentration is primarily aimed at working engineers focused on enhancing technical and scientific skills and knowledge that will advance their careers in the broad fields of biomedical engineering, bioengineering, and biotechnology. A useful background for this concentration includes undergraduate coursework in basic biology, mechanics, and statistics/ probability. The MSE/MS option is a non-thesis master’s program conducted online.

MS Biomedical Engineering

The master's (MSBME) program is conducted on the Purdue West Lafayette campus. A requirement of this program is thesis research that serves to provide the student with a significant investigatory experience at the interface between engineering and the life sciences. The Department of Biomedical Engineering in the School of Engineering and Technology in Indianapolis (IUPUI) has a separate MS degree program for students interested in conducting research on that campus.

Fifth-Year Combined BS/MS in Biomedical Engineering (with Thesis)

The combined BS/MS is a special program for outstanding current Weldon School undergraduates who have established research relationships with faculty members. This program was created to provide further training to undergraduates who have been conducting research in the labs of our faculty and who strongly desire to continue their research toward an MS or PhD degree. The ultimate plan of study is intended to prepare students for PhD level graduate studies or research-oriented industry positions. The proposed program enables students to complete the BS and the MS in a total of five, rather than the typical six, years.